musicology #179

soulsearching #1

(Bessie Smith - Poor Mans Blues)

LISTEN

kept a low one last week to consolidate and regroup for an assualt on this existence called life.

what has this got to do with music? I’m glad I asked..

having always provided themusicologist with a means to externalise the internal turmoil that is ever present music has always been a consistent, reliable guide and trusted companion on the journey. as we experience the rough and the smooth, (together), there is always a slice of the musical pie that nails the feeling and even though this next selection is completely self indulgent it is, I assure you, very necessary.

the idea is to try and lay down a musical dialogue between the yin and yang of a turbulent soul existing in the post modern world. sound deep? in all honesty it is..and bottomless to boot!!

day one of the soulsearching..and who better to start proceedings than the incomparable Bessie Smith…Queen of the blues with a belter of a tune from 1928 that is as true today as it was back then, especially poignant considering the ‘Great Depression’ was just around the corner. which just goes to show how little, (of substance), has changed as a result of the so called ‘age of progress’. Produced by legendary musicologist John Hammond and featuring the musical talents of:

Joe Williams, (Trombone)
Bob Fuller, (Clarinet/Alto Sax)
Ernest Elliott (Clarinet/Alto&Tenor Sax)
Porter Grainger (Piano)

a musical gem from a legendary performer…watch the ride.

mister rich man, mister rich man,
open up your heart and mind,
mister rich man, rich man,
open up your heart and mind,
give a poor man a chance
help stop these hard, hard times,

while you living in your mansion,
you don’t know what hard time means,
while you living in your mansion,
you don’t know what hard time means,
hard working mans wife is starving,
your wife is living like a queen,

please listen to my pleading ’cause I can’t stand these hard times long,
ohhh listen to my pleading, can’t stand these hard times long,
they’ll make an honest man do things that you know is wrong,

poor man fought all the battles,
poor man would fight again today,
poor man fought all the battles,
poor man would fight again today,
he would do anything you ask him in the name of the USA,

now the war is over poor man must live the same as you,
now the war is over poor man must live as the same as you,
if it wasn’t for the poor man mister rich man what would you do?

musicology #178

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #10

(The Who - I’ve Had Enough)

LISTEN

final cut of the Quadrophenia selection and i’m finishing up with the piece of music that closes the film. pucker tune and one that definately had an impact on my mindset growing up.

Jimmy’s gone back to Brighton and had the final igmony of seeing ‘the face’ in his dayjob as nothing but a ‘bell boy’. it’s the final straw for him and reminds me of a saying that I once heard and took to heart…something like

“never try to reach out and touch a ‘golden idol’ as the gilding might come off in your hands..”

I always took it to mean, never idolise anyone as they chances are one day they will dissapoint you. it’s unfair to put such a weight of responsibility on someone elses shoulders because we are all human and full of contridictions.

for the record, even though I was introduced to ‘Mod Revival’ through the Jam’s first album ‘In The City’ a few years earlier than seeing the film the actual soundtrack was, for me, always a bit of a dissapointment. that said I rate Pete Townsend, (and the Who’s), original album from which the film was crafted. Townsend’s lyrics were a guide for themusicologist and will always hold fond memories.

“you were under the impression, that when you were walking forwards,
that you’d end up further onwards, but things ain’t quite that simple,

you got altered information, you were told to not take chances,
you missed out on new dances now your’e losing all your dimples,

my jacket’s gonna be cut slim and checked,
maybe a touch of seersucker with an open neck,
I ride a GS scooter with my hair cut neat,
I wear my war time coat in the wind and sleet,

love reign o’er me, love reign o’er me…..

I’ve had enough of living, I’ve had enough of dying,
I’ve had enough of smiling, I’ve had enough of crying,
I’ve taken all the high roads, I’ve squandered and I’ve saved,
I’ve had enough of childhood I’ve had enough of graves,

love reign o’er me, reign o’er me,
love reign o’er me…looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooove

I’ve had enough of dancehalls, I’ve had enough of pills,
I’ve had enough of street fights, I’ve seen my share of kills,
I’m finished with the fashions and acting like I’m tough,
I’m bored of hate and passion, Iv’e had enough of trying to looooooooooooooooooooooooooooove

you stop dancing”

musicology #177

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #9

(Marvin Gaye - Baby Don’t You Do It)

LISTEN

the film is nearing it’s conclusion and after the ‘tear up’ outside the cafe in the previous scene this penultimate one finds Jimmy trying to make it up with Steph, (or at least make some sense of it all)

the musicology is courtesy of mod favourite and Soul legend brother Marvin Gaye with one of the mod classics..it was actually featured in the film so it’s not alternative but it fits the bill so well that it couldn’t be ignored. BIG tune on the scene….the Small Faces often played it on the curcuit and also recorded it in the early days, (1965?), in tribute to their authenticity, (the only real mod band in my humble opinion), but nothing could touch the Marvin and themusicologist never tires of hearing the man sing, (the Marvelettes are singing back up on this one)

musicology #176

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #8

(The Tams - Take Away)

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strange how themusicologist seems to be drawn to art that reinforces one’s own predicament…maybe we all are?. not going into the details but lets just say I know how Jimmy feels.

this is the section after he has packed his job in and turns up at the Cafe to find all his ‘friends’. his so called best mate, (Dave), really takes the piss and the less said about young ‘tart’ Steph the better.

still, people are funny that way you trust them with your heart and 999 times out of a 1000 they’ll let you down but as Alan Watts said at the start of musicology #10

“that risk still has to be taken”

the musical accompaniment is a Mod screamer courtesy of Soul vocal group The Tams. I know for sure this was big on, (and in), the Scene that year and I must confess to taking a little bit of artistic license as it may have been released after the brief period in which the film was set. Couldn’t resist it though as it’s not only perfect for the alternative soundtrack it is perfect for me too.

p.s that ‘Glasgow kiss’ that he gives Dave after the ‘alleyway’ comment is quality and well deserved.

musicology #175

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #7

(The Blenders - Everybody’s Got A Right)

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day seven and just to make things worse Jimmy has been dragged in to be patronised by his boss on how he should ‘count his lucky stars’ for having such an illustrious job, (especially considering his working class status !!)

this was, (and in many ways still is), how the establishment expects us to behave, that we should be happy with the ‘crumbs off the top table’. Elitism is very much alive today as is ‘class’, even though successive governments, whatever their persuasion, have tried over the past 30 years to convince us of the opposite.

money isn’t the issue. it’s all about ‘mind-set’ and this piece of dialogue has always been one of my favourites in the film. great piece of acting by Phil Daniels…full of emotion and pathos, (you tell him Jim)

the music is courtesy of foundation Soul vocal group The Blenders with what might not sound like a revolutionary piece of social commentary but when you consider the year (1963), is.

a 45 on the Witch label.

Listen tune

musicology #174

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #6

(Big Jay McNeely - Without A Love)

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it’s on top for Jimmy now and from here on in it’s just pure kicks in the nuts for the kid..

the come-down off the ‘blues’ wouldn’t be helping either but there’s no denying that he’s on the slippery slope downwards. one thing about slipping into darkness is, you never know when it’s going to end until the moment after you hit the floor. it could be moments or even years until you start the climb back up.

I know I have been there, (too many times), so I feel for the kid but life seems to be full of trials and tribulations, each to be conquered and vanquished and in the scheme of things ‘growing up’ isn’t that hard an ordeal. you just got to accept it and move on..

the dialogue says it all. his mum has nailed him for being involved in the troubles, found his stash and kicked his arse out onto the streets..the musical accompaniment is a 1962 cut of majesty, (as far as i’m concerned), by a legendary Rhythm & Blues performer, saxophonist supreme Big Jay McNeely, (and his band), which has a particularly fine a piece of organ work that I have been waiting for the opportunity to fling down..a 45 on the Swingin’ Label.

musicology #173

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #5

(The 4 Casts - Stormy Weather)

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day 5 and for Jimmy it's all about to start going downhill. having made his way, (on convoy), down to Brighton and spent the day getting ready for some evening action he has been ejected from the 'dance' for jumping from the balcony in an attempt to impress Steph, (the things we males do to be noticed by the ladies !!), who has mugged him off to be with 'The Face'.

having nowhere to go and no-one to go with he spends the night on the beach, (no doubt speeding off his 'nut'), and in the morning makes his way to to meet up with the boys. this is followed by the big 'tear-up' on the beach and the demolishing of a cafe that some 'greasers' have holed up in. if you've seen it you know all about the 'knee jerker' in the alley with Steph and then him having his collar felt by the old bill, where he ends up in a black mariah with his 'hero' .

Cut to this scene, where the mod attitude and deference to authority is highlighted by 'the Face's' dismissal of his financial punishment in style. but notice how the judge states that these are not the first wave of 'hooligans' to hit Brighton, in reference to the much more dangerous and violent racecourse wars of the 1920's featuring the likes of 'The Elephant Boys', the Brummagen boys, the Sabini's and cats such as Georgie Sewell and Billy Kimber...Brighton was always a hotbed of crime and violence right up until the most recent spate of re gentrification that has taken place over the preceding 10 years or so..and a trip 'down the line' was very common for London's opportunists and villains of the past.

the tune that follows is a slice of the Atlantic pie from early 1964 by a vocal group I know nothing about so I can't offer any information other than what's on the label.

stormy weather is certainly up ahead for 'young Jim'

musicology #172

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #4

(Robert Parker - Watch Your Step)

LISTEN

today’s section is the scene about ’scoring the ‘Jack & Jills’ for Brighton, featuring Jimmy, Dave, (his so called best mate), and Chalky. ‘Flash’ Pete puts them on to some proper Villians from South Of The River and the story unfolds..

one thing I would like to add is that there is no way that what follows, (”lets do the bastards motor”), would or could have happened back in the day…it’s pure fantasy to suggest it. what definately did happen back then, is Villains were on the speed long before the ‘mods’ and it many cases would have been how the teenagers were introduced to them.

speed was in use throughout the 1950’s, (especially in and around Soho), and was known to have been used by some in preparation for crimes that sometimes required a ‘liitle helper’. used in World War II, ( British troops used 72 million amphetamine tablets in the second world war), it was freely available to soldiers to ‘help’ keep them alert, awake, and fearless. I recall a sentence from a fantastic work of art, (Information Panel), detailing the late 50’s, early 60’s period of crime in London and it mentions ‘teams of pilled up 16 stone villains striking terror into the hearts of most’…especially on the ‘armed blag’ so to suggest that young kids would have been so foolish to have dealt out such retribution over such a small thing as a ‘Cockle’s’ worth of pills is misguided.

the piece of music that follows the dialogue is a well known Mod/ernist slice of the Rhythm & Blues pie by artist Robert Parker that was issued in the UK on London DJ and musicologist Guy Steven’s Sue label a couple of years after this one, (the American original released on V-Tone in 1961).

I know it’s been all Rhythm & Blues so far but it was this music that defined Mods up to the year in question, (1964) and certainly not bands like The Who. Live music was performed at places like the Scene by bands such as The Who, The Animals and others but they were mostly to be found, (tradition that still holds), performing in local Pubs and live music venues.

musicology #171

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #3

LISTEN

(Gino Parkes - Fire)

after the ‘reunion’ at the public baths with old ’spar’ Kevin, Jimmy has been to a party, been seen getting off with a girl, (purely for some ‘blues’), by the object of his affection and desire, (Steph), and has for the first time begun to question ‘what it’s all about’

this next, (key), section of dialogue finds Kevin, (the rocker), turning up at Jimmy’s family home on a social visit and offering to fix his ‘poxy hair-dryer’, (scooter), which leads to a great piece of acting and communication between the two childhood friends about ‘being different’. the reality is, (of course), that they are exactly the same and Kevin, (played majestically by Ray Winstone), nails this with the closing line…

What struck me about the film was the way it portrayed the disillusionment of the movement as well as it’s depiction of the ‘Mod’ attitude, (captured in fine style by Phil Daniels as ‘Jimmy’), and it’s in this exchange that it is laid bare.

the music is a 1962 cut from Detroit, courtesy of Soul singer Gino Parkes, (not forgetting the cats behind the Motown sound, the ‘Funk Brothers’), with a rare slice of the Motown pie. can’t say for sure whether it was played back then but if not, it should and probably would have been if known about.

musicology #170

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #2

(Buster Brown - Fannie Mae)

day two of the selection and after setting the scene, (no pun intended), with one of the great Mod classics Jimmy finds himself having a clean up at the Public Baths…now there’s a blast from the past…young bloods these days can’t even begin to imagine how common it was right up until the 1970’s to have your weekly bath down at the local swimming pool, (nowdays known as ‘Leisure Centre’)

part of what I really enjoy about Quadrophenia is the way it depicts how life was for the working class. which really began to change, (for the worse), during Thatcher’s reign as we were sold into rising debt and subsequently wage slavery with the ‘carrot’ of becoming ‘better off’.

my belief is that today’s society is a backward step. Health, Education and Security are all in a spiraling decline as the businessmen and politicians wait like stinking vultures to carve up the ‘institutions’ that were meant for the people’s welfare. It won’t be long before business is in charge of all the areas mentioned above as whoever is in charge tries to remind us that it’s ‘for our own good’ .. believe me it won’t be. as always the Poor and Needy will be raped and pillaged by the Rich and Greedy.

so..back to the film.

‘Jimmy’ is having a relaxing soak in the bath when the opening lines to Gene Vincent’s ‘Be Bop A Lula’ come floating over the cubicle wall… being a ‘Mod’ he takes this as a personal affront and makes his feelings known. leading to a vocal altercation that is about to step up to a confrontation until the two parties make visual contact and realise they are, what sounds like, friends. as we now know the ‘mods vs rockers’ fighting pitched battles and being sworn enemies is a myth overcooked by the media to sell newspapers.

if the truth be known it was more likely to be mods fighting mods over age old territorial rights or who ‘owned’ a particular corner of a dancehall.

the tune that follows is an example of the music that was appreciated by both mods and rockers, (music is a great leveller), another stomping piece of Rhythm & Blues, (released in 1959), that was played in early mod venues in London by the likes of original DJ’s such as Sammy Samwell and Guy Stevens.

Tony Blue this one’s yours. hope it brings back fond memories of being young, free and disengaged.

musicology #169

alternativesoundtrack2..Quadrophenia #1

(Tommy Tucker - Hi Heel Sneakers)

having enjoyed laying down the alternativesoundtrack selection to one of themusicologist's favourite films, (Good, Bad and Ugly), so much I feel It's time for another one...

this time it's the turn of cult English film, Quadrophenia.

still the only cinematic portrayal of one of the most enduring and influential youth cults to emerge...'Mod'. which is amazing when we consider the impact that the movement had on music, fashion and society over the preceeding 45 years.

as a youngster growing up on the streets of South East London during the seventies, (born in 1968), themusicologist was part of the original mod/ernist legacy by having parents who were there at the birth of the movement, (1962), that had evolved out of a scattering of disparate individuals who began to congregate in pockets of London to become known, (mainly to themselves), as 'stylists' or even 'modernists'.

there are many reasons for this but the most important was the change in music from 'Rock & Roll' to 'Rock & Soul' that began to happen around 1959 but also the impact of globalisation and the 'consumer society' that emerged out of it.

I have seen and enjoyed the film many times but the thing that i always found dissapointing was the soundtrack. I know the film was about 'Mods'and in many ways it was authentic but also a little bit one-sided in as much as, for me, it didn't do musical justice to the more 'underground' aspect of the movement so this week it's going to be about the tunes that weren't featured in the film that, in my humble opinion should have been.

day 1 finds 'Jimmy' turning up at a club and buying his supply of FFrench Blues, (amphetamines), to complement the night's action at a local club.

a tune well known and loved by mods, modernists and stylists, recorded in late 1963 and released in early 1964. (the year in which the film was set). released as a 45 on the 'Checker' label..a Rhythm & Blues dancer that had all the neccessary requirements for getting cats off their arse and on the floor..

musicology #168

malevocals2 #6

(Fela Kuti - Sorrow, Tears & Blood)

didn’t throw one down yesterday…late night Friday and then headed straight out of ‘the smoke’ for some country air…slept for most of the day and be the time we returned it was too late.

this last cut of the malevocals is a song that has been getting a lot of exposure over the last few weeks and even though the cat in question may not be especially well known for his singing it was as a vocalist that he began his career.

as far as legends go ‘Fela’ stood as tall as anyone. almost singlehandedly inventing, (along with drummer Tony Allen), the genre known as ‘AfroBeat’. the life and times of Fela Kuti are well documented so i’ll leave it down to the music to provide an insight into the man.

taken from his 1977 album ‘Sorrow, Tears & Blood’ this is the title track about political conditions in his homeland. to say that Fela was an activist and thorn in the side of the government is an understatement for a man who was beaten to within an inch of his life, imprisoned on trumped up charges and hounded at every turn. but it never stopped him making powerful, immortal slices of music that communicated on many levels.

Fela was and still is an example of how music is the most effective form of communicating the message and is, as far as I’m concerned, the only ‘language’ that transcends all ‘boundries’

“Everybody run, run, run
everybody scatter, scatter….”

musicology #167

malevocals2 #5

(Ambelique - Yesterday)

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big night tonight…a friend’s 40th birthday bash and ‘yer man’, (themusicologist), is selecting the sounds.

the menu consists mainly of Soul, Funk and Boogie, (70’s and 80’s), but I’ve also put together a ‘Dancehall’ set and a ‘Dubstep’ selection to satisfy all tastes…should be a top night…almost all the ‘cats’ are making an appearance.

this cut, a cover of The Beatles song ‘Yesterday’, is by one of my favourite ‘digital’ singers over the last 15 years who began his career as a youth under the tutelage of Derrick ‘One Stop’ Harriott’ in 1970 as Ramone The Mexican but it wasn’t really until 1994 when he teamed up with Sly & Robbie that his career began to take off, which just goes to show the importance of sticking to your guns. since then he has continued to ‘tear up’ the dance with his recordings and performances.

taken from a 45, (a vinyl single to all those digital heads), it’s a Clive Hunt production on the Kickin’ label from around 1996, (if memory serves me right), as is often the case there is very little information on the label, not even an ‘engineer’ credit…no surprise really as I doubt the song was licensed from whoever holds the rights.

musicology #166

malevocals2 #4

(Leroy Hutson - Paradise)

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today’s cut is an 80’s Soul & Boogie classic from a man whose apprenticeship was served under one of the genres undisputed kings…Curtis Mayfield. Originally a member of vocal group ‘The Nu Tones’, he went onto feature (along with Donny Hathaway), as a member of the ‘Mayfield Singers’ after hooking up with him at Howard University.

multi talented as Singer, Songwriter, (he co-wrote Donny’s solo anthem ‘The Ghetto’), arranger and musician. he took over from Curtis as lead singer of ‘The Impressions’ in 1970

in 1973 having served his apprenticeship he went solo and released some extra fine work especially on his Hutson, and Hutson II albums. This one is a later work, (1982), taken from his only album for Elektra.

musicology #165

malevocals2 #3

(Ray Charles - Let The Good Times Roll)

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Today's artist needs no introduction .. a first outing on themusicologist and definitely not the last.
this tune was BIG down Winforton Street in the early 1960's. a tune that epitomised 'The Golden Age' and one of my grandad's favourites...

"hey everybody....let's have some fun, you only live but once and when you're dead you're done.."

musicology #164

malevocals2 #2

(Amsterdam - Jacques Brel)

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stepping outside of the sounds of Jamaica and blazing new ground with a singer from Belgium who themusicologist came across by pure chance one night when I fell asleep on the sofa with the ‘Ned Kelly’ on and was woken from my slumber not only by this cats voice, but just as importantly his passionate delivery.

I must admit I was blown away and having never listened to a song sung in French I vowed to dig some of Jacques Brel’s work up and aquaint myself with it. I can’t translate a word of it but after watching and listening to this live performance of his on the documentary it brought tears to my eyes and sent a shiver up my spine…in other words I felt it.

apparently he was a huge star in France and obviously Belgium and I can hear why. He pulled no punches and was known and well loved for his ‘protest’ songs as much as his songs of love…

it was this 1964 cut that woke me from my slumber. it’s a song about Amsterdam, sailors on shore leave and the so called dregs of society about whom Brel was a passionate defender.

David Bowie is a big fan of Brel’s, (and this song in particular), recording it first in 1970 for a John Peel session live at the BBC.

musicology #163

malevocals2 #1

(Cornell Campbell - My Country)

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kicking off this weeks selection with a mighty cut from one of Jamaica's finest, Cornell Campbell who has been dropping musical bombs like this for almost 50, (count 'em), years. the man has laid down so many top ranking pieces it beggers belief that he is not an international star.

there at the birth of Jamaican musicology Cornell Cambell began his career at the tender age of 11, (according to the man himself), for none other than Coxsone 'Downbeat the ruler' Dodd. after a financial dispute he moved on to King Edwards, then formed vocal group 'The Sensations' with Jimmy Riley.

back to Dodd as a solo artist and lead singer of 'The Eternals' before hooking up with Bunny Lee in the early 70's...the cat has worked with all of the great Jamaican producers throughout his long career, (which is still going strong), covering almost all of the styles from R&B through to Dancehall so I'm not going to bore you with the 'information' .... i'm just going to throw this one down and leave it to you to decide.

musicology #162

vocalgroupaction2 #7

(The C.O.D's - Michael)

LISTEN

I'm almost at the end of my tether with the f*****g BOXNET audio widget and Ive been looking at alternatives so in the VERY NEAR future expect that there will be changes made ....

in the meantime hold this 1965 Mod classic from Chicago vocalgroup The C.O.D's. who were overheard singing under a streetlamp by two cats who were so impressed with their talent that they decided to setup a label, (Kellmac), just to record them. unfortunately this was their only 'hit' so the label only lasted less than two years and a handful of releases, (3 of which are by the group)

the lineup consisted of lead singer Robert Lewis, Carl Washington and (songwriter), Larry Brownlee who alone went on to have fame as a member of the Lost Generation. Sadly Brownlee was murdered on Chi's tough streets in 1978. the other two members disappeared without musical trace...

one that themusicologist remembers well from 'back in the day' thanks to 'Uncle Johnny' who was a major influence in the formative years of my musical journey.

the tune is based on a local Chi' cat who was obviously a hit with the ladies.

starting tomorrow it's male vocal week